University of Michigan - The Michiganensian Yearbook

“twieai & o kell and story By me-lissa layout by emma cartwrig Did you listen to Rock ' n Roll? Did you engage in premarital sex? Did you drink alcohol, attend concerts, wear provocative clothing, or believe in evolution? If you behaved in any of these ways , then you were leveled a 4M > wesi. Students passing through the Diag were often reminded of their immoral behavior by preachers who devoted themselves to converting students. Regulars Brother Jed Smock and Preacher Richard provided students with an- & pen Ionium to- u & ice ikeJ/i itie < At4- & n d num < k & i 04 tddtted including premarital sex, abortion, homosexuality, alcohol, drugs, and politics. While these preachers broadcasted their holier-than-thou messages, they added a pedantic dimension to the busy Diag. " The preachers use a powerful speaking style to encompass it all. He [Brother Jed Smock] to- trying to repopn/ate lite earth with people who think like I do, " said George " Jed " Smock, one of the men who frequently preached in the Dia.g. Students had a variety of reactions to his preaching and his ideas: some thought he vrc/.v funny, while others were offended by what he said and responded to him angrily. His threats of dam- nation are as great an evil as some of the is- sues he is talk- ing about, " said LSA student Ian Mutchnick. Some students found the preachers amusing, but others were offended. " I have been here five years, and Preacher Mike used to be a big thing. Some students find it funny, but most people find it offensive, " said LSA senior Jason Dandy. Gwendoline Chalam, a first-year LSA student, found Preacher Richard and his and his lectures about sin offensive. " Everyone in the world is on his list. I am on the list a million times, and / am- w & l aaina, to- Hell. Brian Gardner, an LSA junior, felt it was difficult to carry on a reasonable conversation with the preachers. " It seems like some people use the preachers ' forum as an opportunity to yell out jokes and get attention. Somepeopkkeawied & aj^^ Ute dspgak & ld W ike Miac^. One student became so agitated by the charges made by one of the preachers, that he took the preacher ' s Bible and whacked him on the head with it. Though the preachers devoted countless hours attempting to convert University students, many of them just chose to walk right on by. * I 1 2 ^ Preachers in the Diag ”